UNLV’s New Dental Clinic to Serve Nevada’s Underserved Populations

A state-of-the-art dental clinic, specifically designed to cater to Nevada’s most vulnerable populations, is nearing completion on the Shadow Lane campus and is set to open in September. This facility will provide crucial dental services to patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as children born with cleft palate and othre craniofacial anomalies.

Addressing a Critical Need for dental Care in Nevada

For years, Nevada has struggled to provide adequate dental care for individuals with complex physical and developmental conditions. According to Dr. James Mah, dean of the School of Dental Medicine, many Southern Nevada patients who rely on wheelchairs or gurneys face significant barriers to accessing traditional dental clinics. Furthermore, patients with sensory disorders often require anesthesia for routine dental procedures.

These challenges have created a critical need for a specialized dental facility. The new UNLV clinic aims to bridge this gap by offering purpose-built facilities and specialized care. The clinic is scheduled to be completed this summer.

Did You Know? Nevada is one of only two states in the U.S. without a formal cleft palate and craniofacial team until Governor Lombardo signed SB 280 into law on June 9, 2025.

Innovative Features for Enhanced Accessibility

The new clinic will feature an operatory without a traditional dental chair to accommodate wheelchairs and gurneys, ensuring accessibility for all patients.Extra-wide doors and corridors will further enhance accessibility. All treatment rooms are equipped to administer anesthesia safely.

Training the Next Generation of Compassionate Dentists

Recognizing that many dentists recieve limited training in treating patients with developmental disabilities and other complex needs, the clinic will also serve as a teaching facility.UNLV dental students and residents will gain invaluable hands-on experience, increasing the number of qualified practitioners able to provide compassionate care to disabled patients in the region. This initiative aims to transform the standard of dental care in Nevada.

Restoring Care for Cleft palate and Craniofacial Anomalies

The new dental clinic will also revive a vital service that was lost during the COVID-19 pandemic: treatment for infants born with cleft palate or other craniofacial anomalies. Prior to the pandemic, UNLV provided this care, but funding was cut, forcing families to seek treatment out of state, frequently enough traveling long distances to Los Angeles.

Governor joe Lombardo signed SB 280 into law on June 9, 2025, restoring funding to the cleft palate and craniofacial team at the UNLV School of Dental Medicine, providing much-needed financial support to care for this underserved population.

Pro tip: Early intervention and specialized care for cleft palate and craniofacial anomalies can substantially improve a child’s long-term health and quality of life.

Commitment to the Southern Nevada Community

The new clinic represents a significant step forward in providing comprehensive and accessible dental care to Southern Nevada’s most vulnerable residents. It reflects UNLV’s commitment to serving the local community and improving the lives of those in need. The grand opening party in September will recognize the leaders who made the clinic possible and the families whose lives will be transformed by its services.

UNLV Dental Clinic Construction Project Details

The UNLV School of Dental Medicine’s new clinic construction project, managed by UNLV’s Planning and Construction team, includes:

• eight operatories, including one with no traditional dental chair to accommodate wheelchairs and gurneys
• Extra-wide doors and corridors for accessibility
• Anesthesia-ready treatment rooms with plumbed-in gases
• Anti-microbial lighting to help prevent the spread of germs
• Three separate reception areas, including one specifically for patients with special needs

The renovated space, formerly the dental school’s clinical business office, has been transformed to meet the unique needs of patients with complex care requirements. Upgraded finishes and advanced technology will support specialized procedures. Additional features include a private consultation room,a dedicated waiting area,and self-check-in kiosks.

Ron Singer, senior project manager, noted that final installations of furniture and equipment are scheduled for mid- to late July. The project is partially funded through grants that must be spent by July 31, requiring careful coordination between construction and funding requirements.

In addition to the operatories, the new floor plan includes a consultation room, a break room, and a movable air wall to allow the flexibility of two individual rooms or one larger room to accommodate large meetings or training sessions.